Mohave County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue

10/21/2026

TRAINING: TRACKER / KINGMAN, ARIZONA

This past weekend (10/17 and 10/18), the Mohave County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue participated in tracker training in the Kingman area. Freddy Osuna of Greenside Training LLC instructed a 16-hour human tracking course that focused on track and clue awareness, basic sign cutting, team structure, and team responsibilities. Drills were performed to teach index tracking and proper identification of subjects' tracks. Another drill was a mock search for two lost hunters (one of whom suffered an injury) and a separate search for a lost hiker suffering from heat exhaustion. Tracking teams were assigned and deployed to locate the missing and injured subjects, utilizing tracking as the primary search tool, as well as directing drone operations based upon direction of travel and observations from searchers with optics. Team coordination and tactics were discussed as the day progressed, as well as proper radio communication. A large percentage of those who become lost are found with the assistance of our tracking teams, and this training enhanced the skills of our searchers to directly benefit the residents and guests in Mohave County. Special thanks to UniSource Energy Services for providing a grant which helped fund this training. Great job by everyone.

10/13/2026

STRANDED MOTORISTS: MOUNT TRUMBULL / ARIZONA STRIP

On Saturday, October 3rd, at approximately 8:15pm, the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office received a call to assist a family of five (and their dog), who had become stranded near Mount Trumball on the Arizona Strip - approximately 40 miles south of Colorado City, Arizona. They were in a 2004 Buick Rainier and had traveled down from Kanab, Utah earlier in the day. For the return trip home, they chose to take County Road 5 (CR5), which was a different route than they had taken out. During their trip home, they became disorientated and managed to turn off of CR5 and onto a two-track trail. They had no map or means of navigation at that time - and cellular service is very limited or not available at all in this area of Arizona. While on the two-track trail, their vehicle became disabled.

The Search and Rescue Arizona Strip Unit responded and began a route and location search towards their location. The family was located in good health and transported back to the Command Post where they were reunited with a family member.

Search and Rescue wants to remind everyone that when traveling in the remote and rugged wilderness areas of Mohave County, to always travel in groups with more than one vehicle in the event one of the vehicles becomes stranded. It was good that they were able to make a call out for help, but consider carrying a satellite communicator (such as an inReach) or another reliable means of communication. In addition, maps or a functional GPS with navigation that can record tracks and show options to return home should also be considered.

Outstanding work by everyone involved!!

10/12/2026

STRANDED MOTORISTS: WEST MOHAVE WASH, SOUTH OF LAKE HAVASU CITY

About 7:45 a.m. Sunday (10/11) morning, the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office received a call for help from a family member of five people who had become stranded around 3 a.m. Sunday morning south of Lake Havasu City. The group (three men and two women in their twenties) had gone out the previous evening (10/10) exploring near Mohave Wash and developed radiator problems with their Jeep Grand Cherokee, stranding them in a wash. They ended up spending the night out there.

At the time they became stranded, the wash was not running. However, with the increase in rains from Hurricane Rachel, the wash began to run intensely—causing the Jeep Grand Cherokee to be swept away. They called family for help Sunday morning, who then contacted Search and Rescue.

Search and Rescue responded and began a route and location search starting from Standard Wash and working toward Mohave Wash, all while it continued to rain and washes were running. Challenges arose finding suitable places to cross some of the running washes, which increased the difficulty of reaching their location. While the Central Air Rescue DPS helicopter from Phoenix was enroute, ground teams located the vehicle and continued searching for the group, as they had walked away from the vehicle to find shelter.

Once on scene, the DPS helicopter located them on top of a hill and landed. All five had cell phones that had no battery left to communicate their current location. They were loaded up and brought back to the Command Post. They were in good spirits and happy to be reunited with family.

Search and Rescue wants to remind everyone that when recreating in the remote and rugged backcountry of Mohave County, it is important to travel with multiple vehicles in case one becomes stranded. It is also critical to check the weather forecast and understand how storms—especially lingering systems like Hurricane Rachel—can quickly turn dry washes into dangerous, running water. Have a plan for communication if phones lose battery or signal, and let someone know your plans and expected return time.

Great job by everyone involved in this response.

10/12/2026

STRANDED MOTORISTS: TOPOCK LAKE / S OATMAN HWY BETWEEN MP1 AND MP2

About 2:45 p.m. Sunday (10/11) afternoon, the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office became aware of two stranded motorists (a 67-year-old male and a 37-year-old male) stuck in the Topock Lake area (S Oatman Hwy between MP1 and MP2). They had driven their truck pulling a trailer with a small watercraft around a barricade and into a flooded highway while traveling south. They were able to exit the truck and move to higher ground. While waiting for a friend to arrive, they were sitting on a log watching the waters recede—they were stuck between two running washes. As search and rescue arrived on scene, they were able to cross the wash to safety.

Prior to this event, a white Jeep had also entered the flooded highway while traveling north. The Jeep was overcome by the flowing water, though the water was not as deep as when the truck became stuck. The male occupant of the Jeep and his dog were able to exit and walk to safety.

Search and Rescue wants to remind everyone to never enter a flooded roadway, highway, or wash. Road barricades are placed as a clear warning that the roadway is closed due to danger ahead.

Under Arizona Revised Statutes § 28-910, a driver who drives onto a public street or highway that is temporarily covered by floodwater and barricaded because of flooding is liable for the expenses of any emergency response required to remove the driver, any passenger, or the vehicle. That liability is capped at $2,000 per incident and is in addition to any other citations that may apply.

These incidents put both the public and responding personnel at unnecessary risk. When you see water on the road or a barricade, turn around and find another route. Turn Around, Don’t Drown!

10/12/2026

MISSING CHILDREN (FOUND): MOHAVE VALLEY

About 7pm Sunday (10/11) evening, the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the father of two missing children (ages 12 and 10) who were unable to be located after playing outside earlier in the day. They were last seen around 4pm by their father. He had started tracking the kids (and one was barefoot), while family was searching the area for them, as well. Search and Rescue responded and began a route and location search. Trackers confirmed the tracks being followed by the father were the kids’ tracks and tracking teams continued following them. In the meantime, the Central Air Rescue DPS helicopter from Phoenix was enroute and SAR K9 Mano was deployed. During the route and location search, rescuers and family were contacting local businesses to determine if the kids had been there recently. About midnight, the kids were located walking near the Spirit Mountain Casino. Family met them at that location and brought them back home. They were in good health and the 10-year-old child was still barefoot. Great job by everyone!

10/12/2026

Keep an eye out

UPDATE 12:10 AM- Both boys have been located and are safe. Thank you all for your assistance.

ORIGINAL 8:00 PM-We are requesting the public's assistance in locating 2 missing juvenile males in the Mohave Valley/ Fort Mohave area.

Atom and Jack Ward were last seen leaving their residence on foot in the 10000 block of Bridle Ln. at approximately 3:50 PM.

Atom (12) was last seen wearing dark blue jeans and a black t-shirt. He may also be wearing a black and white baseball hat and gray tennis shoes.

Jack (10) was last seen wearing black cargo shorts and a pastel tie-die t-shirt. He is believed to be barefoot.

Anyone with information on the boy's whereabouts is urged to contact our office IMMEDIATELY at 928-753-0753.

09/30/2026

SWIFT WATER RESCUE: MOUNTAIN VIEW ROAD, NEAR EL RODEO ROAD - FORT MOHAVE

About 9:15pm Monday (9/28) evening, the Mohave County Sheriff's Office received a call for help from a bystander who said there was a sedan stuck in a wash on Mountain View Road, north of El Rodeo Road. There were two people in the vehicle. Water was at the height of the vehicle's bumper. As Search and Rescue was responding, Fort Mohave Fire made contact with them and were able to pull them out to safety. They are very lucky to be alive! Search and Rescue wants to remind everyone to never travel into a flooded roadway or cross into a flooded wash - Turn Around, Don't Drown!!

09/30/2026

SWIFT WATER RESCUE: CRAGGY WASH, NORTH OF LAKE HAVASU CITY

About 6:10pm Monday (9/28) evening, the Mohave County Sheriff's Office received a call from a 25-year-old female and a 28-year-old male who had become stranded in their RV in Craggy Wash - north of Lake Havasu City. They had been camping in their RV with their two small children (a 1-year-old boy and a 3-year-old boy), two dogs and two cats, when the wash began to run and they were not able to get out of the wash before being overcome by flood waters. When they had called for help, the water had already reached the hood of their RV and was coming in through the doors. Search and Rescue responded to their location as water had begun to recede by a foot or two. The outside door to the RV was blocked with debris. The only door that would open was the driver's front door. Rescuers were able to determine that all occupants were safe inside. As the water finally receded, rescuers helped the family retrieve some personal items and transported them to safety. They are very lucky to be alive! Search and Rescue wants to remind everyone to never travel into a flooded roadway or cross into a flooded wash - Turn Around, Don't Drown!!

09/30/2026

SWIFT WATER RESCUE: UNKAR DRIVE, GOLDEN VALLEY

About 5:50pm Monday (9/28) evening, the Mohave County Sheriff's Office received a call for help from a 31-year-old male and a 27-year-old female who had drove their Dodge Charger into a flooded roadway and had become stuck and surrounded by rising waters. They had been trying to go back to Nevada when their GPS had routed them down Unkar Drive - and they had attempted to cross a flooded roadway. Their vehicle was overcome by the force of the running water and it was rising up to the windows of their car at the time of their call for help. They initially called for roadside assistance, but the tow company was unable to get to their location due to the rising water. At some point, they were able to get out of the vehicle to higher ground - which was a good thing, as another round of rain caused their vehicle to become completely submerged in the flood water. Search and Rescue responded to their location - as the washes were continuing to rise and helped them cross an additional flowing wash to return them to safety. They are very lucky to be alive! Search and Rescue wants to remind everyone to never travel into a flooded roadway or cross into a flooded wash - Turn Around, Don't Drown!! Another reminder is to consider the route that a GPS-navigation system is suggesting - especially when the road conditions change from a paved road to a dirt road. Great job by everyone!

09/30/2026

SWIFT WATER RESCUE: WHITE HILLS ROAD, MP5

About 4pm Monday (9/28) afternoon, the Mohave County Sheriff's Office received a call from a bystander who had seen a black sedan swept away into a running wash, near Mile Post 5 on White Hills Road. He had followed the vehicle for about a mile down the wash - unable to assist the occupant of the vehicle. He turned around to find cell service and then called for help. Search and Rescue and Patrol Deputies began responding to that location, along with Lake Mohave Ranchos Fire. A few minutes later, the 75-year-old male driver of the sedan also called for help. Rescuers were delayed near Mile Post 3 - as water was also rushing across the roadway. Once it was determined to be safe to continue, rescuers proceeded towards Mile Post 5 to search for the man and vehicle. Search teams were able to locate him from the road and hiked to him. He was still in his vehicle and uninjured, but very cold and wet. Medical evaluated him on scene and then transported him back to safety. He is very lucky to be alive! Search and Rescue wants to remind everyone to never travel into a flooded roadway or cross into a flooded wash - Turn Around, Don't Drown!! Great job by everyone!